strain

[[t]stre͟ɪn[/t]]

♦♦♦

strains, straining, strained

1) N-VAR: oft under N, N on n If strain is put on an organization or system, it has to do more than it is able to do.

The prison service is already under considerable strain...

The vast expansion in secondary education is putting an enormous strain on the system.

...the credit crunch caused by strains on the banking system.

Syn:

pressure

2) VERB To strain something means to make it do more than it is able to do.

[V n] The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system...

[V n] Resources will be further strained by new demands for housing.

Syn:

stretch

3) N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl Strain is a state of worry and tension caused by a difficult situation.

She was tired and under great strain.

...the stresses and strains of a busy and demanding career.

Syn:

stress

4) N-SING: a N If you say that a situation is a strain, you mean that it makes you worried and tense.

I sometimes find it a strain to be responsible for the mortgage.

Syn:

worry

5) N-UNCOUNT Strain is a force that pushes, pulls, or stretches something in a way that may damage it.

Place your hands under your buttocks to take some of the strain off your back...

A build-up of strain on a section of the San Andreas Fault has been detected.

6) N-VAR: usu n N Strain is an injury to a muscle in your body, caused by using the muscle too much or twisting it.

Avoid muscle strain by warming up with slow jogging.

...a groin strain.

7) VERB If you strain a muscle, you injure it by using it too much or twisting it.

[V n] He strained his back during a practice session.

8) VERB If you strain to do something, you make a great effort to do it when it is difficult to do.

[V to-inf] I had to strain to hear...

[V to-inf] Several thousand supporters strained to catch a glimpse of the new president...

[V n] They strained their eyes, but saw nothing.

9) VERB When you strain food, you separate the liquid part of it from the solid parts.

[V n] Strain the stock and put it back into the pan.

10) N-SING: with supp You can use strain to refer to a particular quality in someone's character, remarks, or work.

There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.

...this cynical strain in the book.

Syn:

streak

11) N-COUNT: usu N of n A strain of a germ, plant, or other organism is a particular type of it.

Every year new strains of influenza develop.

...a particularly beautiful strain of Swiss pansies.

12) N-PLURAL: usu N of n If you hear the strains of music, you hear music being played. [LITERARY]

She could hear the tinny strains of a chamber orchestra.

13) → See also , repetitive strain injury